Wire-stretcher.



No. 689,980. Patented Dec. 3|, mm. W. G. MATTHEWS.

WIRE STRETGHE-B. (Application filed Mar. 7, 1901.)

(No Model.)

atto'cwu o UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

\ VEBB C. MATTHEXVS, OF SUNBURY, OHIO.

WlRE-STRETCHER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 689,980, dated December 31, 1901.

Application filed March 7,1901. Serial No. 50,151. (No model.)

To aZZ 1077,0722, it may concern:

Be it known that I, "WEBB O. MATTHEWs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Sunbury, in the county of Delaware and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in WireStretchers; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The invention relates to wire-stretchers.

The object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which shall be simple of construction, durable in use, and comparatively inexpensive of production and by means of which wires may be easily and expeditiously stretched in the making or repairing of fences.

With these and other objects in view the invention consists of certain novel features of construction, combination, and arrangement of parts, which will be hereinafter more fully described, and particularly pointed out in the appended claim.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating one application of the invention. Fig. 2 is a similar view illustrating another application of the invention, and Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional View through the wire-clamp.

In the drawings, 1 denotes a fence-post, and 2 the wire to be stretched.

3 denotes the operating-lever,havin g a metal shank 1, formed with a socket 5, into which the inner end of the lever fits. The said leveris provided with a pointed end 7 and with an eye 8.

9 denotes an anchor-chain adapted to be attached to the post and provided with a ring 10 in its free end.

11 denotes claw-l1ooks having a flexible and swiveled connection with the shank 4, so as to permit of said hooks being twisted or turned axially or swung up or down or sidewise. In other words, these hooks have universal movement.

12 denotes a clevis-hook connected to the shank at a point intermediate between the points of attachment of hooks 11 to the shank.

15 denotes a wire-clamp, which consists of parts a and b, the former of which is provided with a hook a, designed to engage with the hook 12 or with the ring 10 on the anchorchain or with eye 8 on the lover. a is also provided with a set-screw d, which passes through it and enters a seat or recess 6 in the inner face of part 01 and is designed to adjust the clamp to wire of different gages and also to prevent part b from twisting upon part a. The clamp is further provided with a bolt F, which extends through the jaws and is held in place bya tail-nut g. This serves to tighten the clamp upon the wire.

In operation, referring to Fig. 1, the parts are arranged as shown, and the lever 3 is worked back and forth with one hand, while the hooks 11 are alternately engaged with the links of the chain 9 as the wire 2 is being stretched. The swiveled connection of these hooks with the lever permits of the hooks being engaged with each link of the chain 9, one at a time, without twisting said chain. A second clamp is employed in making a second stretch. Hook 0 is engaged with ring 10 of the anchor-chain, and the clamp attached to the wire being stretched at a point corresponding to the greatest reach of the chain 9. This holds the tension in the wire while the stretcher is being readjusted. It is disengaged from the chain and the first clamp. Clovis-hook 12 is then engaged with hook c of the second clamp and the clutch-hooks with the chain and the lever worked as previously described. In order to stretch the wire between the clamp and the post, attach the clamp No. 1 to the wire at a point opposite the post. Remove the lever from its socket in stretcher-shank and engage eye 8 with hook of clamp. Engage point of lever against back of post and force wire into place for stapling.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, the construction, mode of operation, and advantages of myinvention will be readily understood without requiring a more extended explanation.

Various changes in the form, proportion, and details of construction may be made within the scope of the invention without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof.

Having thus described my invention, What attachment of the claw-hooks, and a clamp I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Pathaving: ahook to engage either said eye on the ent, isl lever, the eye on the chain, or said clevis- 15 In a wire-stretcher, the combination of an hook, substantially as described.

5 anchor-chain provided with an eye, a lever In testimony whereof I have hereunto set composed of two parts, one of which is promy hand in presence of two subscribing witvided with an eye and a point, and the other nesses. with a socket to receive said point, and a shank, claw-hooks projecting from one side I0 of the shank, a clevis-hook projecting from Witnesses:

the opposite side of the shank and pivoted J. W. PACE, thereto at a point intermediate the points of D. H. DAVIS.

W. C. MATTHEWS. 

